CARMEL – The Putnam County Legislature is thumbing its nose at the MTA, voting Monday night to refuse to pay the new mobility tax to the New York City transportation system.

The State Legislature and the governor approved the payroll tax, which will add a one-third of one percent levy on all payrolls in the Mid-Hudson counties of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester.

But, Putnam lawmakers said the tax is a job killer and they aren’t going to pay it on the county’s payroll.

Legislator Vinny Tamagna called it a taxpayers’ revolt. “It’s a matter of civil disobedience and if they want to come after us, then let them,” he said. “I would like to see the attorney general and the comptroller take a look at the waste in those budgets.”

Legislator Mary Conklin of Patterson said people’s livelihoods are at stake. “It’s going to impact a lot of people and a lot of businesses. This is going to possibly put some businesses out of business.”

Legislature Chairman Tony Hay said let the MTA sue. “We’re not going to pay them.”